Electrode for electrolytic condensers



Nav, 1l, 1924.

R. E. MARBURY E-LECTRODE FOR ELECTROLYTIC CONDENSERS U-U-U-V--U INVENTOR22E if ai? BY L/j/ WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. l1, 1924.

UNITED STATES RALPH E. MARBURY, OF WILKINSBURG,

VANIA.

n i l 1,515,128 PATENT OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- ELECTRODE FOR ELECTROLYTICCONDENSERS.

Application led October 27, 1920. Serial No. 419,798.

To all whom t may cof/zoem Be it known that I, RALPH E. MARBURY, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in thecounty of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Electrodes for Electrolytic Condensers, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrodes, more particularly to electrodesformed of corrugated or folded sheet metal and especially adapted foruse in electrolytic condensers, lightning arresters, reetifiers and thelike.

The present invention is closely related to the invention described andclaimed in the copending application of Aalborg, filed Oct. 23, 1920,Serial No. 419,025-, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric &Manufacturing Company.

In the aforesaid application, there is described an improved electrodeformed of a sheet of metal which has been so cut as to produce a seriesof sections with integral intermediate spacing members, the entirestructure being folded to provide a large area exposed to anelectrolyte, this area being contained in a relatively small space.,Such construction presents many advanltages over those previouslyproposed, and the present invention is a modification of the inventionof Aalborg designed to more perfectly eliminate the disadvantages ofprior electrodes.

One ofthe obj ects of the presentinvention is to provide an electrodestructure of the type above mentioned which is rigid and rugged, whichpresents no sharp edges, and that is compact.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electrode ofpeculiar form such that the areas of the various sections comprising theelectrode increase from the edges thereof to the center.

In practising my invention, I provide a sheet of metal and cut therein aseries of slots having the form of segments of a circle. These segmentsform sections resembling a series of disks, each of the disks beingunited to the next by a constricted portion integral therewith. Thesections so formed are thenfolded, being spacedfrom each other lbyintermediate spacing members formed in ,the cutting operation andserving to prevent the various sections from coming in contact with eachother` thus preventing impeding of the circulation of the electrolyte.

By providing a series of sections in parallel, the area of each 'of thesections increasing from the edge to the center, I form an electrode inwhich the current density from the edge to the center is substantiallyconstant, thereby causing current to more readily penetrate the interiorof the electrode, and utilizing the entire area of the electrodemoreeffectively. Preferably, I provide holding means formed integrally withthe body of the electrode, and I also provide conducting leads out fromthe same met-al sheet.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in whichsimilar reference characters denote similar parts, and which illustrateone embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of metal out in accordance with myinvention and ready to be folded;

Fig.- 2 is an end view of a trode, and i Fig. 3 is a side view of thesame.

A sheet of metal 1 has a series of slits 2 out therein as sho-wn in Fig.1, the slits extending practically across the 'entire face of the sheet.Generally such slits are in the form of sectors -o-f a circle, thecenter of which is midway between two oppositely curving slits. By socutting the sheet, there are formed a series of disks 3 united byintermediate connecting portions 4 forming a Section of the electrodo.Each of the sections is separated from the next one by an intermediatespacing member Extended portions 6 are formed at various intervals alongthe edges of the sheet, apertures 7 being provided therein so that whenthe sheet is folded, all the apertures are in alinement. At each end ofthe sheet` cuts 8 are made.

The sheet is then folded or corrugated along lines 9 and 10 to form thebody portion of the electrode, as shown in 'Figs 2 and 3. The face ofone section then lies opposite the face of the adjacent section, thatis, the several sections are in parallel. Conducting leads 12 and 13formed along cuts 8. are bent in opposite directions on lines 11. .Rods14 are threaded through openings 7 which are in alinement and may foldedelecbe secured in fixed relation by any suitable means, such as welding.

An electrode so constructed is very sturdy and rigid even without theaid of clamping or holding members, and is easy t'o construct, since itrequires but a few simple cutting and bending operations to form the.completed structure. On account of the inherent resiliency of themetal, the various folds tend to separate, leaving the adjacent sectionsout of contact with each other, thereby still further increasing thesurface area exposed to the electrolyte over that of prior structures.At the same time, shortcircuiting is prevented, thus increasing theeiiciency of the electrode.

Although I have above described in detail a specific embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited tothe details shown, since it is obvious that various changes may be madein the construction of my improved electrode within the scope-of myinvention. For instance, the relative dimensions of disks 3 andconnecting portions 4 may be varied, the portions 4 may be omittedaltogether, if desired, and various other changes of proportions, suchas narrowing or Widening of intermediate spacin members 5 relative todisks 3, may be ma e.

Disks 3 need not necessarily consist of segments vof circles but variousother forms, such as ellipses, etc., maybe substituted therefor, theprime requirement being that the area of each section shall increasefrom the edge thereof to the center. The holding,

and clamping means need not be as described but various other well lmownholding and clamping meansma be substituted therefor. These and other canges may be made in the structure without departing from the scope ofmy invention which it is desired disks arranged in parallel sections,each Section including a plurality of disks.

4. An electrode comprising a series of disks,'each of said disks beingunited to the next by a constricted portion.

5. An electrode comprising a series of disks, each of said disks beingunited to the nex by a constricted portion integral therewit 6. A nelectrode comprising folded sheet metal providing sections united byinter- Y mediate spacing members, the area of said sections andv of saidintermediate spacing members increasing from their edges to the center.

7. An electrode comprising folded sheet metal providing sections unitedby intermediate spacing members, extended portions on the upper andlower ends thereof, apertures therein, and means threaded therethroughfor holding the sections of said electrode.

8. An electrode comprising a series of disks arranged in parallelsections, each section including a plurality of disks, the face of onesection being opposite to the face of an adjacent section, and a singleintermediate spacing member therebetween.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 13th dayof October, 1920.

RALPH E.. MARBURY.

